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Kenya's buses will all be electric in the next three years, as the government looks to lower carbon emissions and improve energy security.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who announced the timeline, said the government is committed to revolutionising the transport sector by introducing electric vehicles (EVs).

She was speaking this week at Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) in Thika, during the roll out of the country's first lot of electric buses assembled by BasiGo.

First assembly line for electric buses in Kenya

"BasiGo aims to make Kenya a leader in the manufacture of modern EVs in Africa," the company said.

It intends to deliver 1,000 locally assembled electric buses over the next three years, which it says will create 300 green manufacturing jobs.

Miano said the administration prioritises policies and strategies aimed at fostering local production to propel the manufacturing sector to 20% of Kenya's GDP by 2030.

"My ministry is finalising the statutory requirements for the implementation of the National Automotive Policy which will boost local content in vehicle manufacturing in Kenya."

She said one of the cornerstones of the policy is the establishment of incentives meant to increase the uptake of EV, including the reduction of excise duty on electric powered vehicles.

The policy is also meant to stimulate the assembly and manufacture of EVs.

Other efforts, she said, include the revision of theIntegrated National Transport Policy (2009) to accommodate EVs and the necessary infrastructure.

Miano was on hand as BasiGo handed over the first E9 Kubwa produced on BasiGo's e-bus assembly line to Citi Hoppa Bus, one of BasiGo's original pilot partners.

BasiGo said it is "proud to pioneer Kenya as a manufacturing hub for modern EVs."

Judy Thuo, CEO Citi Hoppa Bus, said Kenya's EV transformation is possible "if we work together."